Google dismantles Android TV botnet of 1.3M devices
The gist
Google took down the XCPE botnet infecting over 1.3 million Android TV boxes and revoked Videostrong's certification.
Owners of cheap Mecool boxes may never know their device was used for crime.
How it unfolded
- 2024 and 2026Videostrong allegedly kept changing the malware, updating it in 2024 and again in 2026.
- Nov 2, 2026Google announced the takedown of the XCPE botnet, which reached more than 1.3 million Android TV set-top boxes.
- Nov 3, 2026Reports described how Google and industry partners dismantled the botnet and Google revoked Videostrong's Android certification.